FIJI is positioning itself as a reliable hub for Pacific trade and connectivity, supported and strengthened by digital transformation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications Manoa Kamikamica made this comment in his keynote address at the mini-business forum held at the Intercontinental Wellington in New Zealand on the margins of the Fiji-New Zealand Business Mission 2025, reaffirming Fiji’s commitment to deepening economic ties with New Zealand.
He also emphasised the need to build on the solid foundation of the Duavata Partnership and the joint commitment by Fiji’s Prime Ministers Sitiveni Rabuka and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon to double bilateral trade to $NZ2billion (approx. $F2.65b) by 2030.
Mr Kamikamica said Fiji’s partnership with New Zealand was anchored in trust and shared values.
He added the challenge now was to translate this goodwill into balanced trade, stronger investment flows, and concrete benefits for Fiji’s businesses and people.
He said Fiji was determined to create a worldclass investment climate.
“Fiji is shaping a business environment that listens to investors, learns from global best practice, and leads with credibility. Come to Fiji with a credible project, and you will find one front door, one digital track, and one team committed to getting you to yes,” Mr Kamikamica said.
“Investment doesn’t flow just because of incentives. It flows when businesses see consistency, stability, and a country that honours its commitments – that is the Fiji we are building,” he was quoted as saying in a government statement.
The DPM highlighted key opportunities for collaboration in agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, and digital connectivity.
He invited New Zealand investors to partner with Fijian farmers through structured buying arrangements, expand into experience-based and eco-tourism ventures, co-invest in renewable energy solutions, and take advantage of Fiji’s rapidly advancing digital infrastructure.
He also urged New Zealand businesses to “look beyond transactions and build long-term partnerships that create value, resilience and shared prosperity”.
“The roadmap has been agreed, the political will exists, and the private sector is engaged. Now is the time to turn dialogue into delivery.”
The Mini-Business Forum brought together senior officials, industry leaders and members of the New Zealand–Fiji business community to exchange insights on trade, investment and the regulatory landscape.
It also marked the formal inception of the wider Fiji Business Mission program, which over the coming week will see the delegation engage in high-level bilateral meetings, investment roundtables, site visits, and the annual Fiji–New Zealand Joint Business Council Conference in Auckland.
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Note: This article was first published under the headline: ‘Reliable hub’ – Fiji positions itself as a centre for Pacific trade and connectivity in Page 14 of the print version of The Fiji Times dated Tuesday, September 09, 2025
